In this section of the guide we will look a little closer at how you can manipulate the various objects that are contained in the file system via the File Explorer View.
The benefit of using the File Explorer is that you can access files and folders on remote systems as well as local ones. Connections to remote systems can be made using the Link Explorer View.
Note: Any files you edit that are not contained within a Project in the Project Explorer will not be able to use features such as local history. These features rely on the file belonging to a Project. Such Project files are known as "resources" within the workbench (see Project Explorer File Management).
Creating a New File
WPS Workbench allows you to create any type of new file:
1. Ensure you have the File Explorer view open ( Window > Show View > Other… > WPS >
File Explorer).
2. Right-click the container object ( Shortcut Directory or Folder) you want to create the new file in, to show the context menu.
3. Select or hover over the New menu option, and then select the kind of file you want.
Available options are as follows:
• Program will create a named program and open it in the editor.
• Untitled program will create a new untitled program in the parent folder and open it in the editor.
• File will create a new file in the parent folder.
4. In the window that opens, you have an opportunity to change the location of the new file. You will see that the container from where you opened the context menu is currently selected. You may choose to create the file on an entirely different connection, if you wish, even a remote connection.
5. Near the bottom of the window, type in the new file name.
File Extensions: If you specify a file extension and it is one that the system knows about (e.g. .wps or .sas are treated as a program, .doc is regarded as a Microsoft Word document) then the new file will be associated with the appropriate editor.
6. Press the Finish button to complete the task.
Creating a New Folder
Folders can be created where you have appropriate operation system privileges on your local and remote connections.
1. Ensure you have the File Explorer view open ( Window > Show View > Other… > WPS >
File Explorer).
2. Right-click the container object ( Shortcut Directory or Folder) you want to create the new folder in, to show the context menu.
3. Select or hover over the New menu option, and then select the Folder sub-menu option.
4. In the window that opens, you have an opportunity to change the location of the new folder. You will see that the container from where you opened the context menu is currently selected. You may choose to create the folder on an entirely different connection, if you wish, even a remote connection.
5. Near the bottom of the window, type in the new Folder name.
6. Press the Finish button to complete the task.
Copying an Object
You can copy file system objects to folders in your local connection and remote connections. There are several ways to do this, and two of these are explained here.
Copying with the edit menu
You can copy file system objects to folders in your local connection and remote connections:
1. Ensure you have the File Explorer view open ( Window > Show View > Other… > WPS >
File Explorer).
2. Either right click on the object you want to copy and select Copy, or select it and use the keyboard shortcut for copy for your operating system.
3. Right click the target Shortcut Directory or Folder you want to copy the object to, and click Paste, or select the target and use the keyboard shortcut for the paste operation for your operating system.
Progress of the operation can be viewed in the Progress View.
Tip: You can also select multiple objects if you wish to copy more than one object at once.
Copying with drag and drop
You can copy file system objects to folders in your local connection and remote connections:
1. Ensure you have the File Explorer view open ( Window > Show View > Other… > WPS >
File Explorer).
2. Click on the object you wish to copy.
3. Press your left mouse button, and keep it pressed as you start to drag the object.
4. Now, with the left mouse button still pressed, press and hold the Control key on your keyboard. You should notice that a plus symbol (+) appears near the mouse pointer.
5. Keeping both the Control key and left mouse button pressed, drag the object onto a Shortcut Directory or Folder object and release the mouse button, then the key, to perform the copy to that location.
Progress of the operation can be viewed in the Progress View.
Tip: You can also select multiple objects if you wish to copy more than one object at once.
Moving an Object
You can move file system objects to folders in your local connection and remote connections. There are several ways to do this, and two of these are explained here.
Moving with the edit menu
You can move File Explorer objects by using the edit menu.
1. Ensure you have the File Explorer view open ( Window > Show View > Other… > WPS >
File Explorer).
2. Either right click on the object you want to move and select Cut, or select it and use the keyboard shortcut for cut for your operating system.
3. Right click the target Shortcut Directory or Folder you want to move the object to, and click Paste, or select the target and use the keyboard shortcut for the paste operation for your operating system.
Progress of the operation can be viewed in the Progress View.
Tip: You can also select multiple objects if you wish to move more than one object at once.
Moving with drag and drop
You can drag and drop files and folders to move them.
1. Ensure you have the File Explorer view open ( Window > Show View > Other… > WPS >
File Explorer).
2. Move your mouse over the object you wish to move.
3. Press your left mouse button, and keep it pressed as you start to drag the object.
4. Release the mouse button to drop the object onto another Shortcut Directory or Folder that you can see, to move the object to that location.
Progress of the operation can be viewed in the Progress View.
Tip: You can also select multiple objects if you wish to move more than one object at once.
Deleting an Object
You can delete file system objects with the File Explorer:
1. Ensure you have the File Explorer view open ( Window > Show View > Other… > WPS >
File Explorer).
2. Right click on the object you wish to delete to show the context menu 3. From the menu select the option Delete.
4. Click OK to confirm you wish to proceed with the delete.
Progress of the operation can be viewed in the Progress View.
Note: If you delete objects using the Workbench Project delete facilities rather than File Explorer, you can use the Workbench feature discussed in Restore from Local History .
Renaming an Object
To rename a file system object:
1. Ensure you have the File Explorer view open ( Window > Show View > Other… > WPS >
File Explorer).
2. Right click on the object you wish to rename to show the context menu.
3. Select the Rename option.
4. A window will be shown containing the existing object name. You may enter a new name for the object here.
5. Press Enter on your keyboard when you have finished typing.
Progress of the operation can be viewed in the Progress View.